Gordon & MacPhail bottles 38yo Coleburn whisky

by Melita Kiely

Independent whisky bottler Gordon & MacPhail has launched a 38-year-old single malt Scotch from the closed Coleburn Distillery as part of its Private Collection range.

The Gordon & MacPhail 1981 from Coleburn Distillery has been aged in a refill Sherry hogshead that was chosen by Gordon & MacPhail to be filled on 11 March 1981. Coleburn Distillery was founded in 1897 in Longmorn, Scotland, and was designed by architect Charles Doig. It was mothballed in 1985. Bottled at 55.9% abv, the whisky is said to have flavours of Sherry-soaked fruit, liquorice, dark chocolate and a long finish with notes of toffee and a touch of smoke. It will be available to purchase globally – with the exception of the US – from specialist retailers priced at RRP £1,250 (US$1,618). Stephen Rankin, Gordon & MacPhail director of prestige and member of the fourth generation of the Urquhart family, said: “Brought to you as a rare single malt, this 38-year-old release exhibits the true spirit of the Coleburn Distillery. “My grandfather, George Urquhart, was always keen to champion the quality of the new make from previously unheralded distilleries and this remarkable whisky perfectly exemplifies his vision.” Gordon & MacPhail has released two more single malts for spring, including Connoisseurs Choice 1998 from Glenburgie (RRP £136/US$176) and Connoisseurs Choice 2006 from Ledaig Distillery (RRP £73/US$95). Only 245 bottles of the Glenburgie expression have been created. In April last year, Gordon & MacPhail streamlined its portfolio into five series: Discovery, Distillery Labels, Connoisseurs Choice, Private Collection, and Generations. The Spirits Business spoke to managing director Ewen Mackintosh in June last year about the changes sweeping across the business.